Alexander vs. the Persians - The Re-match THE BATTLE OF ISSUS Alexander vs. the Persians - The Re-match

BEFORE THE BATTLE? DARIUS’ PLAN wants to fight on a large open plain that would suit his cavalry. he finds this at Sochi. but he gets impatient and sets off to find Alexander. = MISTAKE #1.

BEFORE THE BATTLE? MEANWHILE ALEXANDER … is ill and the army halts at Tarsus. when recovered Alexander marches south towards the Amanian mountains.

RESULT = DARIUS GETS BEHIND ALEXANDER As Darius moves north Alexander moves south Darius then moves west cutting off Alexander’s supply line Alexander realises mistake and quickly doubles back They meet at Issus

PROBLEMS FOR ALEXANDER he is now cut off Asia Minor base. Darius surprises and then kills Alexander’s sick and wounded men at their camp. he then rushes for the Pass of Jonah. Alexander realises his mistake, turns and rushes for the Pass of Jonah too. he makes it through just in time.

LUCKY ALEXANDER it is now Alexander who has Darius cornered on a narrow part of the coastal plain. this battlefield is far more favourable for Alexander’s army.

THE BATTLE PLANS ALEXANDER’S orders Parmenio on the left to hold strong and NOT to allow the enemy through. counter the Persian cavalry with the Thessalian cavalry. no real threat from the mountain side. DARIUS’ get round behind the Macedonians with the cavalry on the sea side. make Alexander cross a river again by taking the northern side of river.

PHASE ONE Alexander’s infantry crossed the river and attacked the Persian centre. at the same time Alexander and his Companions attacked the Persian centre, heading straight for Darius himself.

PHASE TWO Darius orders his cavalry to attack Alexander’s left wing. Darius’ central Greek mercenaries fight so well that they make the phalanx’s advance uneven. the left side of the phalanx is held back = very dangerous for Alexander because the phalanx’s strength in lay in its unity. a gap appears and the Greek mercenaries break though. meanwhile on the Alexander’s left wing the Thessalians manage to hold off the Persian cavalry in a fierce battle.

PHASE THREE finally the Macedonian phalanx defeats the enemy in front of it and turns to attack the Greeks who had broken through. when Darius sees this he flees along with his cavalry. Alexander only pursues Darius when he was certain he had won, when he did pursue him he failed to catch him.

RESULTS OF THE BATTLE Alexander again showed his military skill. Alexander had turned disadvantage into advantage. Darius escaped to Babylon but he left behind: his entire family, lots of treasure . Darius wrote asking for his family back, Alexander says only when Darius calls him “King of all Asia”.